Anybody else having more trouble than usual getting into the regular season this year?

I've had this problem the past few seasons. It's difficult to watch in October especially now that this team has a recent history of being very disjointed in the opening month. What's even more frustrating is you know damn well they are capable of so much more than what they show in October.

That being said it looks like they are starting to get in the swing of things a little sooner this season. Posting 2 consecutive 40 shot games is not easy task against 2 very defensive teams in NYR and Nashville.

Speaking of Nashville did you hear Shanny's explanation of the hit on Hansen? He said Weber "hit him a little bit on the shoulder" and the glass just sounded loud..I guess Hansen was just wearing his jersey sideways because the hit looked pretty much dead on the numbers to me.

He seems to enjoy waiting until the forward is right on him before he moves the puck, even when he has plenty of time to dish it or shoot.

And he pretty much sucks on the PP. Oh well, it's still early, right...

Lapierre is looking terrific this year, like he's found another gear with his stride. I'm still not ready to anoint him as our new third line center, though. If Manny can get back to where he was last year before the injury I'd prefer him getting the ice time.

Cowards die a thousand times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

The Minnesota second goal should never have happened - Ballard is covering Nick Johnson as they go behind the net, and instead of plastering Johnson to the boards, Ballard inexplicably skates away, leaving Johnson time to find Brodziak for a 4th line tally.